University of Central Arkansas Acceptance Rate & Tuition
University of Central Arkansas is a public research university in Conway, Arkansas, serving roughly 7,762 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 89.49% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,938 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,523
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,511 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 89.49% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,762 88.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 53.53%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 34.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 5.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1118
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,093
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,589
- Room & Board: $9,110 annual estimate
University of Central Arkansas: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Central Arkansas, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (ZIP 72035-0001).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is University of Central Arkansas public or private?
University of Central Arkansas is a Public institution.
How much does University of Central Arkansas cost?
Published tuition: $10,523 in-state, $18,023 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $16,511.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,656 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,988 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,203 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,318 |
| $110,001+ | $20,157 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $42,092.
How hard is it to get into University of Central Arkansas?
Admission rate: 89.49%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1118 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Central Arkansas?
Total enrollment: 7,762 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,093 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,844 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas?
150%-time completion rate: 53.53%.
First-year retention: 73.3%.
What do graduates of University of Central Arkansas earn?
Median earnings: $36,670 six years after entry; $45,938 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,346.
37.98% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Central Arkansas known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (126 completions)
- Psychology, General (124 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (112 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (100 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (95 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (75 completions)
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (73 completions)
- General Studies (70 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (67 completions)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (62 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Central Arkansas a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 89.49%; completion rate 53.53%; median earnings $45,938 at 10 years; net price $16,511. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,523
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Central Arkansas was $10,523.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,511
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Central Arkansas had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,511.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$66,044 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,511 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$42,092 4-Year In-State Tuition
$72,092 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,110 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,216 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,849 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$83,396 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Central Arkansas.
Financial Aid by Income Level
37.98% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
39.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Central Arkansas was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Central Arkansas in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,595 | $13,340 | $9,693 |
| 2014 | $7,889 | $13,806 | $11,087 |
| 2015 | $7,889 | $13,806 | $13,063 |
| 2016 | $8,224 | $14,447 | $13,231 |
| 2017 | $8,524 | $15,047 | $14,375 |
| 2018 | $8,752 | $15,275 | $14,723 |
| 2019 | $9,188 | $15,998 | $15,376 |
| 2020 | $9,338 | $16,148 | $16,554 |
| 2021 | $9,563 | $16,433 | $14,735 |
| 2022 | $9,778 | $16,728 | $15,889 |
| 2023 | $10,118 | $17,258 | $16,775 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
89.49% Acceptance Rate
6,589 Total Applicants
5,961 Students Admitted
1,737 First-Time Students Enrolled
29.14% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1118
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Central Arkansas reported total enrollment of about 7,762 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (63.5%), Black or African American (16.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.8%). About 37.98% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
88.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Central Arkansas in 2024 is 7,762 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,093 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,844 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
73.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 63.5%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
41.92% 100% Completion Time
53.53% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 41.92% of students graduating from University of Central Arkansas completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 18% male / 82% female
- Psychology, General: 14% male / 86% female
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 42% male / 58% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Central Arkansas.
Return on Investment
$20,346 Median Student Debt
$45,938 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
44.29% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
595.57% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Central Arkansas.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 91 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 126 completions
2. Psychology, General: 124 completions
3. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 112 completions
4. Business/Commerce, General: 100 completions
5. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 95 completions
6. Business Administration and Management, General: 75 completions
7. Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist: 73 completions
8. General Studies: 70 completions
9. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 67 completions
Most popular programs at University of Central Arkansas.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Central Arkansas graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Central Arkansas from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,499
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,836
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Central Arkansas is a public institution located in Conway, AR, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Enrollment is approximately 7,762 students. Student body composition includes White (63.5%), Black or African American (16.7%), Hispanic or Latino (8.8%). The admission rate is 89.49%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1118. The 150%-time completion rate is 53.53%. Approximately 37.98% of students receive Pell Grants. About 34.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Conway, AR 72035-0001
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 91 distinct degree programs, University of Central Arkansas provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Central Arkansas located?
University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR.
What is University of Central Arkansas's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Central Arkansas is 89.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,589 applicants and 5,961 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Central Arkansas cost?
Reported tuition is $10,523 and average net price is $16,511 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,110 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,093 students, White (63.5%), Black or African American (16.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Central Arkansas?
About 34.6% of students at University of Central Arkansas are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Central Arkansas?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Central Arkansas reports midpoint SAT about 1118 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of University of Central Arkansas earn?
Median earnings are $36,670 six years after entry and $45,938 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas?
The 150%-time completion rate is 53.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Central Arkansas students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,346.
Is University of Central Arkansas public or private?
University of Central Arkansas is a public institution located in Conway, AR.
Is University of Central Arkansas an HBCU?
No. University of Central Arkansas is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Central Arkansas a tribal college?
No. University of Central Arkansas is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Arkansas college costs
- Arkansas colleges by ROI
- Conway, Arkansas city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Arkansas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.